Any way to increase the number of eBay store categories?

[richard1rst]

I have over 11,000 listings. I am more or less like a giant department store. An eBay store has a stated limit of 300 categories and I have reached that limit. I talked to CS and they said there was no way to increase the limit. That of course limits my expansion possibilities.

However, life’s experience has taught me that there are sometime things that are, shall we say, “off the menu”.

Any ideas?

Yes, I have thought of a second store but then anyone looking at one of my stores is only seeing half my inventory so I do not accept that as a reasonable choice. Anything else?

[calntom]

If you cannot get it through your dedicated support staff.....  Those are the folks I would be hammering if I had an anchor store which I assume you have. 

[slippinjimmy]

Think about collapsing some of your categories. I had a brief look, seems like some of you sub-cats could be combined.

[Anonymous]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

Think about collapsing some of your categories. I had a brief look, seems like some of you sub-cats could be combined.

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+1

[bigdeals.etc]

Yes, if I wanted to I can also expand my current inventory to thousands of categories. But I chose to not and generalize some.

On another note, as a buyer if I see way too many categories I get turned off. I'd rather see 20 categories with 100 items in each category versus 2000 categories with 1 item in each category. I think I remember something about the categories being more searchable when there are more listings within that category too.

And also above all, I don't think condensing some of your store categories will affect your sales. Buyers still primarily find your item thru keyword searches.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

Think about collapsing some of your categories. I had a brief look, seems like some of you sub-cats could be combined.

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I agree, lots of your categories can be simplified 

Things like "Kitchen and Dining", "Wine Glasses", "Cookie Jars" and "Coffee Mugs" plus "Coasters and Placemats" can be combined into "Kitchen and Dining", with Subcats

Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Decor into "Christmas"

Blankets and Throws  + Comforters into "Bedding"

[bigdeals.etc]

And if you absolutely need more than 300 categories, there may be a work-around but it will require lots of work. I've thought of doing it myself years ago but I gave up on it because it wasn't worth it for me. And ebay's interface may have changed since then so I don't know if it's possible now... I'll leave it to you to do some digging and find out.

But basically it's using ebay's "Custom Boxes" within your store... do they still call them that? You can use those boxes to manually create your own "store categories." You can use HTML in those boxes to make whatever you want. Look at my store and the "Refunds & Exchanges" box in the left margin... that's an example. Honestly I don't remember anymore where I can manage that box in my Manage Store pages.

So just make your own HTML coded categories and link them to your listings by keyword search results. I.E. Have a category "Cups" and link it to the URL of the keyword search "cups" in your store. All of your cups should be in the results since that word should be in the title of your corresponding listings. Make sure if you do this that you turn off your default store category box... so buyers won't see that in the left margin of your store.

Yes this idea isn't totally as polished as the default store category box... but at least you should be able to have as many "categories" as you like.

[richard1rst]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. You have all collectively given me a whole lot to think about and a bunch of avenues to explore.

Again, my thanks for taking the time to write.